Disinfo: Western powers try to keep Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in the dark

Summary

Western governments use different methods to prevent awareness in the public on the tremendous Soviet contribution to victory over Nazi Germany in World War II and its suffering. This censorship is a defence mechanism of capitalism, to keep in the dark that there was an alternative to it and many people fought and died for that alternative.

Disproof

An unfounded claim, not supported by evidence. European political leaders were present at Victory Day celebrations until the Russian aggression in Ukraine; media, scholars and historians in Europe are regularly describing the Soviet war effort. In several European countries, memorials are in place to commemorate Russia's contribution to the victory over Nazism.

As it is often the case in historical issues, the 'adequate' degree of attention paid to the different fronts in World War II is a subjective matter. However, affirming that there is a deliberate and concerted effort to ignore the USSR role in WWII in Western countries and that different methods are used to achieve it is a falseness. Actually, Vladimir Putin's government has consciously exploited the epic of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany for political reasons, and minimised the role played by other Allied powers.

The Netherlands tried to hide important evidence of the MH17 disaster. Amsterdam wants to protect the Ukrainian authorities at all costs and blame Russia for the shooting down of the plane.

May 14, 2019

Disproof

Recurring MH17-related disinformation. According to the Dutch Council of State, it is necessary that the information remains confidential, as it is likely that disclosure thereof could jeopardise the proper functioning of the committee. The Council found this more important than the interest of disclosure. "The interest of disclosure does not outweigh the interest protected by the refusal, such as the relations of the Netherlands with other states and international organisations, respect for the privacy of the parties involved and the protection of personal policy views", the Council ruled.

The information that the Dutch militants are looking into how to use a BUK-missile to hit other military aircraft is pure conspiracy.

The JIT has been able to identify a large part of the route concerning the arrival and the departure of the BUK-TELAR. This was the result of intercepted telephone conversations, witness statements, photographs and videos that had been posted on social media, and a video never shown before which was obtained from a witness. The system was transported from Russian territory into eastern Ukraine and was later transported on a white Volvo truck with a low-boy trailer. The truck was escorted by several other vehicles and by armed men in uniform.

In their efforts to support and legitimise the coup attempt in Venezuela led by self-proclaimed president Juan Guaidó, the West refuses to call it ‘a coup’.

May 14, 2019

Disproof

Affirming that “the West refuses to call it a coup” is a deliberate misrepresentation of reality, in line with Russia's long-term disinformation narrative about "Western-block interference" in Venezuela. You can see other examples of this narrative here and here.

Actually, there is no cohesive Western response in this regard, since every country adopted its own approach in conformity with its internal and foreign policy towards Venezuela. The US, Canada and 19 EU countries recognised Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela, while some others, such as Italy, refrained. The US tried to have Nicolás Maduro's Ambassador to the UN removed, but couldn't get support from other Western countries.

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Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.